20 Years Later: Karen Carpenter

[Frank R Albrizio]

I was 16 years old when the news broke on Friday, February 4, 1983 that Karen Carpenter was dead of "heart failure" at age 32. The shock, the initial struggle with this "unbelievable" news was enormous. Karen and Richard had been such a viable part of my life, yet Karen was now gone and the voice of that extraordinary young woman, Karen Carpenter, would sustain me for years as I would spend every earned paycheck on new albums that I never bought over the years, new releases, and even make the "trip" from Worcester, Massachusetts to Karen's resting place at Forest Lawn in Cypress, CA and see the "NOW & THEN" house of the parents of the Carpenters on Newville.

It's all been said over the years, the good, the bad, the loss, the pain, etc., and it all can become trite after awhile. But for me personally, at, now, age 37, I still hold a special place for both Karen and Richard in my heart. When I lost my leg at age 21 Richard acknowledged my loss in writing, and sustained me with continued "signing" of CD booklets, and other materials. When I finally "first" saw him in performance, at age 33, at Foxwoods Casino, it was a chilling, wonderful moment. His performance was not only a brilliant performance with a full orchestra, it was brilliantly and tastefully put on with respect to the "Carpenters" music and legacy; the moment Karen's image came up on "video" and Richard looked up and "played" with the full orchestra, "Top of the World," I thought it was entirely appropriate and a major tribute to not only Karen, but their legacy, the technology that has since come on board since 1983. A wonderful, magical evening and I am grateful for the opportunity to have seen it.

I do wish that I could get to the March 1st performance out at the Carpenters Center at LBU. Working for the Commonwealth, in Massachusetts, I think I could take sometime off to enjoy this moment. I wonder, though, if there are any seats left? I am not familiar with this facility and how "Southern CA" operates tickets/performances being from MASS.

Thanks.

 

[PJ]

Hi Frank,

Interesting e-mail , Glad You managed to See Richard at 1999 Concert

Layout of Concert -was this Cabaret Style with Dining Tables etc ?

CPAC @ Long Beach is Great Venue , Both in terms of Design and Musical Acoustics and Always Wonderful When Richard Performs with Full University Orchestra & Choir

1/3 Fundraiser / Concert will be Cabaret Style Setting for only 250 Guests , this is to Allow Richard a more Intimate Concert and Gives Richard Time to Greet / Meet and Chat with Fans.Something Richard Rarely Can Do

There are Still Tickets Available and Staff are very Helpful , e-mail CPAC via cpac @carpenterarts.org or telephone 562-985-7000 for Ticket Office.

I plus some other UK Fans Hope to Attend .....Latest Problem is that One Friend's Manager is Unwilling to Approve Leave for this Trip......

This will be Great Event to Attend .....as With Previous Richard Events .......

Update with Your Decision Soon .......

Peter....Still Planning Trip Details.......

 

[Frank R Albrizio]

Thank you Peter for your response; if I can get a GOOD airfare, remember I have to fly coast to coast, from Boston or Providence, to Los Angeles or area airports, I will do it in a minute. Will do some "checking tonight" as I really wanted to go out west anyways, but not this soon, so it will mean some shuffling things around, but I so rarely have chances to see Richard, only once in my life, and to see him on HIS TURF, which I think would be cool, is even nicer.

Talk soon,
FRANK